Metal treatment and apparatus



Nov. 28, 1933. J ROBERTS 1,936,689

METAL TREATMENT AND APPARATUS Filed Jan. 24, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet l awwwwto'c:

NOV. 28, 1933. ROBERTS 1,936,689

METAL TREATMENT AND APPARATUS Filed Jan. 24, 192: 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 avwemtoz:

Nov. 28, 1933.

J. H. ROBERTS METAL'TREATMENT AND APPARATUS Filed Jan. 24, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 v anoembo'cz Josey/1,17 fieris 851/3 q w 0 Nov. 28, 1933.

Filed Jan. 24, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 anvcmtou Nov. 28, 1933. ROBERTS 1,936,689

METAL TREATMENT AND APPARATUS Filed Jan. 24, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 N anoemtoz: R g; /0sep% 1T Rqfierl'is Patented Nov. 28, 1933 UNITED STATES PAT 1,936,689 METALTREATMENT AND APPARATUS- Joseph H. Roberts, Waterbury, Conm, assignor to F. B. Shuster 00., Inc.,New Haven, Conn., a

corporation Application January 24, 1928. Serial No. 249,097

Claims.

This invention relates to machines for fabricating long metal stock of various .kinds (sheets, rods,

tubes, or even fairly thick wires, but including more particularly in the example shown), sheet metal stock which is narrow as compared with its length and in such machines the stock is caused to travel in the direction of its length and is usually subjected to a plurality of operations, frequently including a shearing intdequal shorter lengths as in the example.

As is known, finished strips of sheet metal from the rolling mill are in the form of coils of varying widths. This material, before it is ready for use in final fabricating operations, must be straightened and cut to the desired length. The exemplary form of the present invention illustrates this particular phase of such metalworking, that is to say, to the straightening and shearing operations. T

The machines which have been used to perform there operations conveniently may be considered as included in two types; The first comprises a series of feed and straightening rolls which operate in conjunction with a shear mechanism to feed, aline and shear the metal in an intermittent operation. The material is fed through the straightening rolls and passed beyond for apredetermined length. The rollsare then stopped andthe shear mechanism operated to cut off the sheet. This method, while insuring a rigid shear,

is decidedly disadvantageous; Due to the fact that the operation is an intermittent one, the time required for the shearing step represents a low'production rate.

Under the second type are comprehended those machines in which the sheet is fed from the coilto the straightening rolls with a continuous feed, and thoseare distinguished from the machines of .the first type by continuity of operation. The continuous operation is-attained by tripping a shearing mechanism and moving it forwardly with the leveled sheet during the cut ,off and then returning it to its initial position of rest. The complexity of the mechanical movements involved in such a mode of procedure requires designs which are so special as to show the desirability of solving the problem in a third manner as shown herein.

One mechanical embodiment of the invention is shown as an example in the accompanying drawings, of which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the machine as faced by the operator, showing the stock A, being pulled into the machine from a coil at the left (not shown) to the right by the feeding mechanism indicated by the central showing of two tiers of rollers 10-13, which feed and straighten the stock; Fig. 1 showing the stock r A being fed rightward by said rollsto the shirating eccentric;

Fig. 2 is a plan wherein the machine as a whole has been moved clockwise ninety degrees from its position in Fig. 1, so that at the top of Fig. 2 are shown the entrance guide-rolls which are at the left in Fig. l, and so that near the bottom is shown the shearing mechanism which is at the right in Fig. 1; Fig. 2 showing at its right certain driving mechanism which extends back of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a rear elevation illustrating the power connections from motor G (at left Fig. 1) to (a) the feeding mechanism indicated by the group of four tiers of circles and to (b) the shearing mechanism indicated by the vertically operating eccentric;

Fig. 4 is an elevation (partly in section) of the terminal end or right end of the machine of which the front is shown in 1; and

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the starting end or left end into which the stock A (Fig. 1) is fed.

Figs. 1 and 3 therefore respectively show the front and rear of the entire machine; Figs. 4 and 5 show its two ends; and Fig. 2 its top. And Figs. 2, 4 and'5 display face views of the parts which lie behind Fig. 1 and extend rearwardly away from the operator, as indicated in each of said Figs. 2, 4 and 5 by the long wabbing qr nutating members 2'7 which operate the rolls of the feeding mechanism.

The exemplary machine comprises shearing mechanism, 'a source of power straightening mechanism and transmission mechanism operatively coupling the source of power with the straightening and shearing mechanism.

The elements of the machine are mounted on a bed pedestal. At one side (Fig. 5) the pedestal 1 is formed as an oil-tight casing 2 which en'- closes certain transmission mechanism to be deof certain supporting frame members of thestraighteningmechanism to be described. An electric motor G used for the source of power may have its casing mounted on a portion 6 of bed plate 1, Figs. 1 and 3 by means of a slot or other suitable connection and adjusted longitudinally by the screw 7. The stock A is fed from left to right, Fig. l. The machine pedestal 1 also preferably is provided (right, Fig. 1) with a horizontal extension 8 integral as shown, which serves as a table to receive the cut pieces of stock. v

Before being-sheared near the right, Fig. 1, the stock is straightened, and the mechanism for that, termed the roll-stand, is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5 especially Fig. 1. It comprises an upper series of six horizontal rolls 10, 12 and a lower serie o five rolls (1'1 and 13). The rolls in each pinch or feed rolls. The three lower straightening rolls 11 are spaced from and staggered relative to the four upper straightening rolls 10. The straightening rolls are spaced from one another as distinguished from the stock-pinching feed-rolls 12, 13; but they are positively driven like the feed-rolls as shown. T

Spaced upper and lower guide rolls 14, Fig. 1, to receive the stock A upon its first entrance to the machine and guide it to the above rolls are rotatably mounted in a bracket 15 rigidly secured to the machine frame. Stock A is assumed to be a sheet in edge-view in Fig. 1. The upper face of this bracket is formed with a transverse T-slots 15'. Mounted on the upper face of the bracket are the stock-positioning guides 16. These are centrally apertured to receive a bolt and nut 16, Fig. 1. The head of the bolt fits the slot and by the adjustment of the nut (Fig. 2), the guides 16 may be moved laterally to any'desired position and thus serve to guide long sheet stock of different widths.

Mounted on the ,vertical frames 3 of the ma- 7, chine-bed, Fig. 5, and connected thereto for the guide-rolls 14. These roll-supports are reciprocated left and right, Fig. 1, in the direction of feed of stock A. Suitable bearing rolls or other means to prevent sliding friction of parts 1'7 and 18 may be incorporated in channels 5. The bracket 15 extends across and is secured to the roll supports 1'? and 18 (Figs. 1 and 2). A second bracket 19 is positioned below the lower series of rolls 13, 11 and rigidly secured to roll supports 1'7 and 18. The members 15, 17, 18 and .19 thus form a rigid housing or support which carries the straightening rolls 1011 and the feeding or pinch rolls 12, 12. All this with the roll adjusting means described below, constitutes the roll-stand thru which the stock A, Fig. 1, is fed from'left to right to the shearing mechanism later described.

The lower straightening (and feeding) rolls 11 and the lower pinch-rolls (feed-rolls) 13 are journaled in roll supports 1'7, 18. The rolls of the upper horizontal series however are adjustable in a vertical plane so as to accommodate different thicknesses of long stock and to vary the pressure exerted on the stock passing thru the rolls. To accomplish this adjustment, the four upper straightening and feeding rolls 10 are journaled in separate journal boxes 20. These boxes 20 are connected adjustably to the roll-support 1'718, but are rigid with respect thereto for any given adjustment, as will appear. The ends of the upper feed or pinch rolls 12 are journaled in series are horizontally alined. The rolls 12, 13* at left and right ends of the two series act as spring 21' between boxes 21 and associated adjusting screws 22.

Mechanism as below is provided to insure adjustment of the several rolls. Roll support caps 23 24, extending between the upper portions of roll-supports 1718. These'caps are integrally bored to provide journals for the adjusting screws 22 (Fig. 1). The upper ends of screws 22 are squared to receive a crank handle wrench (not shown) to effect the desired adjustment of the rolls.

In practical operation it is desirable to provide for equal adjustment of the two ends of each of the straightening rolls. When the machine is first assembled, the lower straightening and feeding rolls 11 are set accurately in a horizontal plane. To maintain the parallelism of the upper end lower roll-s during adjustment, the several adjusting screws 22, which are journaled in the cap member 23, are positively connected to the respectively alined adjusting screws 22 of cap 24. In the preferred (and illustrated) construction, this connection is obtained by keying a worm-gear 25 (Figs. 1 and 2) on each of the adjusting screws 22. The gears are held from longitudinal displacement with respect to the adjustment screws 22 by means of the lock nuts 25.

The roll support caps 23and24 are formed (Fig. 2) with vertical flanges 23'-24'. These flanges, in addition to strengthening the structure generally, serve specifically as a mounting means for shafts 26 for worm-gears 25. These shafts extend across the tops of the rolls and are journaled intermediate their ends in flanges 23'24'. To prevent longitudinal displacement,

shaft 26 is provided with collars 26, which are disposed closely adjacent the faces of the vertical flanges 23'24'. The shafts 26 (Fig. 2) extend thru and project beyond said flanges 23--2 4', and the projecting portions of the shafts are provided with worms meshing with the worm gears 25 as shown. At each end the worm shafts 26 are squared for the reception of a crank handle wrench for adjusting.

The operation of the adjustment members is as follows. When it is desired to adjust the spaced straightening and feeding rolls 11 or pinch-feed rolls 12 either for stock A of different gages or to vary the pressure or straightening set exertedon the stock as sheet A, that may be done by manipulation of the worm shafts 26 with a suitable crank handle wrench. On rotation of a worm shaft 26 the gears 25 connected to the ends of adjusting screws 22 will be rotated thru equal arcs and the associated journal boxes 20 or 21 will be raised or lowered an equal distance. In this manner the two feed rolls 12 are maintained in parallel relation in the same horizontal plane with each other and with the four straightening rolls 11, whatever may be the extent of vertical adjustment by turning shafts 26. Each upper roll 11 may be adjusted vertically from any one of four points; i. e., the worm shaft 26 may be rotated directly from either end or it may be rotated via gears 25, by turning either of the adjusting screws 22. Each of all these upper rolls is adjustable individually. An advantage of this construction is that, if desired, the pressure (or straightening set) exerted by the rolls 10-11 on the sheet may be'graduated so as to insure convenient operation and produce a perfectly straightened sheet A.

The straightening and feeding mechanism above described is connected to a transmission proper directions and permits the movementof the roll support in a manner to be described. The rolls 10, 11, 12 and 13 are driven (Fig. 2) by wabblers 27. One set of ends of 27 are connected via universal joints 27' to the respective rolls to be rotated. The other set of ends of 27 is connected via similar joints to the driving means including universal joints 27'.- The connections of 27 are such that during the feeding to be de scribed of stock A (Fig. 1) they drive the upper rolls 10 and 12 in a counterclockwise direction I and the lower rolls 11 and 13 in a clockwise di rection. These directions of rotation, however, may be reversed for other purposes, as will appear.

At the drive end wabblers 27 (right Fig. 2) are connected to gear shafts 28 journaled in the gear box 29, Fig. 4, right, .and Fig. 5 left. Journaled within the gear box 29 are a number of shafts shown on which are fixed the spur gears 30, Figs. 3-4. There are four horizontal tiers of gears 30 (Fig. 3), the, gears of each tier meshing with those of the adjacent tier or tiers. The shafts of the two intermediate tiers are connected to wabblers 27, Fig. 4. The drive for spur gears 30 is from the spur gear 31, Figs. 2'and 4. Shaft 28' of drive gear 31 extends (Fig. 5) thru gear box 29 to the wabbler 27 of the lower rear pinchroll 13. Those of gears 30 which are connected to the row of wabbler-shafts 28 (six in number) are immediately connected by means of the upper tier of spur gears 30. These are placed in staggered relation to the spur gears of the wabbler shafts 28. Similarly the gears 30 connected to the lower group of wabbler shafts 28 and 28' (total five in number) are connected to each othervia the lowest row of gears '30.

If the drive gear 31 is driven in a clockwise direction, (Fig. 3) its connected shaft 23' and the lower pinch rolls 13 will rotate in the clockwise direction to act on stock A, Fig. 1. Since the gear 30 carried by this shaft 28' meshes directly with the spur gear 30 of the wabbler 27 which is connected to the upper pinch roll 12, this latter will be driven in a counter clockwise direction, Fig. 1.

From here'the gear train Fig. 3 proceeds to the upper of idler spur gear 30 which is driven in a clockwise direction. Since this is in mesh with the companion gear 30 connected to the shaft 28 of wabbler 27 for roll 10, the latter consequently will be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction as desired to act on stock A, Fig. 1. In this manner the gear train operates to drive the upper pinch-feed rolls 12 and the upper straightening and feed rolls 10 in one direction, and all the lower cooperating rolls in the opposite direction, so that each roll 10-11 aids in straightening and all the rolls cooperate in feeding stock A, longitudinally left to right (Fig. 1).

The stock A is fed continuously thru all the 0 rolls. This feeding and straightening is accomplished both by moving the stock thru the rolls (left to right, Fig. 1) and by moving the rolls longitudinally with respect to the stock. In the present invention the continuity of feeding operation during the shearing step at the right of Fig. 1, to be described is obtained by the latter expedient, that is, by displacingqthe rolls longitudinally of the metal strip. This is done simultaneously with the shearing operation.

Gear31 (which drives wabblers 27) is driven by pinion gear 32 (Fig. 4) keyed upon the end of a drive-shaft 33, journaled in'the bearings B formed on transmission housing 34. A jack-shaft 35 is journaled in bearings-F and spaced below drive shaft 33 (Fig. 4, right and Fig. 3,-left) A doubleed to connect drive shaft 33 to jack shaft 35 so as to rotate 33 in either direction. To accomplish this a spur gear 36 is keyed to one of the members of clutch C and 36 meshes with a gear 37 fixed to jack shaft 35. A chain sprocket wheel-38 is fixed to the quill E (loose on shaft 3.3) of clutch C. Wheel 38 is connected by chain-belt D to a chain sprocket 38a keyed to jack shaft 35. Clutch C may be operated manually by an extension (not shown) to a lever 39 (Fig. 3). This lever is attached to the rock shaft 40 and at the other end is secured the clutch yoke 41 Fig. 5. The

yoke 41 may be operated to couple the jack necting sprockets 38 and 38a. If jack shaft 35 is rotating in the counter clockwise directionand it is coupled by the gears 36 and 37 to drive shaft 33, then 33 willrotate clobkwise; but if shaft 33 is coupled through the chain belt drive 38D38a, then it (33) will rotate in the same sense as jack shaft 35, i. .e., in the counter-clockwise direction. v

Jack shaft 35 projects (rightward Fig. 5) through and beyond the transmission housing 34 wherein there is keyed on it a chain sprocket wheel 42. A link-belt chain H passes over 42 and a sprocket wheel 42 is fixed on the shaft of main driver G, Fig. l. of driving means, 'such as cooperating spur gears, etc., may be used in place of this belt drive). Motor G, through the connections 42oH42, rotates jack shaft 35, and 35 imparts movement to drive shaft 33 in clockwise or counter clock- Wise direction, depending on the position of engagementof clutch C by yoke 41.

hub is mounted loosely on shaft 46 and idles thereo til it is connected thereto in a manner to ap ear presently. I

A spur gear 47, (Figs. 4 and 5) is keyed on shaft 46. This gear 47 meshes with a corresponding spur gear 48, which is keyed to a cam shaft 49, journaled in bearings K in frames 3. Fixed to the cam shaft 49 are -a plurality of earns 59.

A plurality of cam thrust rollers 51 are mounted on the terminal of bracket 19. These rollers are kept in contact with the cams 50 in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter. On rotation of camshaft 49, cams 50 will thrust (Other specific forms Since shaft i 33 is connected positively to wabblers 27 (Fig. 4)

against the cam follower rollers 51, and (through the shear gate 53. The upper part of 53 is provided with integral elongated bearings 53' (Fig. 4-) in which is journaled a dead shaft 54. Near the outer ends of 54 are pivoted the terminals 55 for connecting rods 56 from the eccentrics; 55 being held on 54 by collars 55'. The lower extending tubular portion of terminals 55 are threaded internally to receive the upper ends of the connecting rods 56, and these connections are locked by lock nuts 57. Each connecting rod 56 is in similar threaded and locked relation to integral portions 58 of the two eccentrics 52.

Shear gate 53 (Fig. 4) slidingly engages vertical guide-ways 59, secured to vertical supports 60, which at their lower ends are supported on frame 3. (Gate 53 may be formed with V-shaped extensions which fit into correspondingly shaped. grooves in. ways 59.) Ways 59 preferably are composed of bronze or some such durable bearing metal. Supports 60 are reinforced and strengthened by means of a supporting strut 61, (Figs. 1 and 3) preferably of T-shapedl cross-section, which is secured to the top of 60.

Shear gate or carrier 53 carries the inclined cutting blade 63 and a holding mechanism 62, 62' for the sheet metal stock A. The shear carrier 53, Figs. 1, 5 is formed with two projecting ledges 53a which are bored to form vertically alined apertures into which are fittedthe rods 62. At their lower ends these rods are provided with the blocks 62', which are positioned near the cutting blade 63. Encircling the rods 62, intermediate their ends, are the helical compression springs 64. At one end, these springsabut the lower face of the upper ledge 53a and at the other end they abut the collars 64', Fig. 1, which are fixed (as by a pin) to the rods 62. Upon downward movement of carrier 53 holding blocks 62' first will engage the straightened stock. As the downward movement of the carrier 53 continues, the springs 64 will be compressed and will exert a resilient holding force on the stock .and prevent its further longitudinal movement because the stock is held firmly between the blocks 62' and the bracket 65, Fig. 1, which supports the stationary shearblade 66. Further downward movement of the carrier 53 will carry the cutting edge of the movable blade 63 past the stationary shear blade 66 and shear off the now,stationary metal strip. When the shear carrier 53 is raised, in any manner, it will carry the rods 62 upwardly and release the blocks 62' from their frictional engagement with the stock in preparation for its next rapid feeding movement between blades 63, 66 due-to the cooperative bodily and rotary motions of the feed-rolls. 7

Thus far it will be seen that by means of a single source of power, such as the motor G, the leveling and pinch rolls may be driven through the transmission mechanism comprising the jack shaft 35, clutch shaft 33, gear train 32, 31 and 30, and universally jointed wabblers 27. The shear mechanism and leveling roll support also are actuated by the same motor G by the shaft 46 coupled to the bull gear 44.

In accordance with the principles of this in'- vention, the stock A is fed continuously to the leveling mechanismand the shear mechanism is operated intermittently, that is to say, at predetermined intervals. The one-revolution clutch mechanism, shown in Fig. 4, affords a means of accomplishing these results. As shown, this com prises acup or driver 45 having a reduced and extended collar or hub 45a, on which is rigidly mounted the bull gear 44. The driver 45 overhangs the main clutch body 67, and is lined with a hardened steel liner 68. The clutch body 67 is attached to the bull shaft 46 by a feather key 69. At the end adjacent the driver 45 the clutch body member 67 is enlarged and the locking rolls are interposed being mounted in suitable recesses and normally free from engaging with liner 68 of driver 45. The locking rolls 70 are moved into and out of. their cooperating recesses in the clutch body 67 by the roll basket 71 which encircles the reduced tubular portion of member 67.

At the other end of the shaft 46 there is keyed.

or otherwise suitably fastened, a retarding brake drum '75. Encircling the brake drum is a flexible band '76, lined with leather, or other suitable friction material. The band is anchored to the side frame 3 by the anchor stud 78. The friction band is adjusted by means of bolt 7'7 which passes through the terminals of the friction band. The purpose of the brake is to stop the shaft 46 in the same position each time the one revolution clutch is disengaged and prevent energy of moving parts from carrying shaft 46 past its zero position. In the example, the brake is engaged constantly.

Means are provided to regulate the length of stock feed between each cut in the form of a wellknown type of variable speed transmission as "shown as and known as the "Reeves transmission. This is designated generally on the drawings by the letter O and since the transmission itself is well known it will be described here'only in its relation to the cooperating elements of the present combination. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a drive chain 79, which passes over the sprocket wheel 80 keyed to the gear shaft 28a extending from one of the shafts 28, also'passes over the sprocket wheel 200. This wheel 200 is keyed to the constant speed shaft 81, Fig. 3, of the variable speed transmission 0. The variable speed shaft of the Reeves transmission is indicated at 82, Figs. 2 and 3. Since the shaft 28a is connected,'(through the spur gears 30) to the pinion 32 the variable speed transmission is itself driven by the mbtor G. The variable speed transmission is provided with a lever as shown which is operated to adjust the speed of the output or variable speed shaft 82 (Figs. 2 and 4). This controls the uniform length of the sheared sub-length of stock as now will be described.

Mounted on a projecting end of the variable speed shaft 82 is a circular cam disk 83, Figs. 1-3, which is formed with a cam 83a, Fig. 2. Mounted on the gear box 29, Figs. 12, as by the pivot84,

Fig. 2, is a bell crank lever 85. One end ofthis 'shown in Fig. 2, the plunger 90 is adapted. to move into a casing P which houses an electrical switch (not shown). Once in each revolution the cam eas es 83a abuts the cam roller 87, causing pivotal movev ment of the bell crank lever 85 about its pivot 84,

, 89 outwardly and pivots the bell crank 85 in the reverse direction, thereby returning the plunger I 89 to an operative position. The rate of revolution of cam 83a on wheel 83 depends on the above adjustment of the variable speed transmission.

The actuating of the electrical switch in hous= ing P effects operation of the one-revolution clutch GZ-Fig. 4, and hence the roll-stand and the shear mechanism intermittent-y driven by said clutch. The closing of the switch in housing P completes an electrical circuit and at once energlass the magnet coils of the solenoid or electromagnet Q (Figs. 3 and i). The solenoid is provided with the usual plunger 91. The'plunger is linked to a lever 92 by means of the conne'ctim; pin 93. The other end of lever 92 is fixed to the stub shaft 94 (Fig- 2) 'to the other end of which is keyed a lever 95. At its lower end, the lever 95 carries a stud 96 which is pivoted to the longitudinally displaceable clutch stop plunger 97. Abutting the end of the lever 95 is a coiled spring 98. The clutch stop plunger 97, stud 95 and spring 98 fit within a suitably designed casing 99. As shown in Fig. 3, an adjusting screw 99' regulates the tension of spring 98. 1

When the switch in housing P is closed by the plunger 89, the solenoid Q is energized and by means of the described linkage the solenoid with= draws the plunger 97 from its engagement with a the stop nose 71a of the one-revolution clutch 67, 45, Fig. 4. The roll basket 71 thus is freeto be rotated in the clockwise direction by the force exerted by the tensioned spring M. Such rotation moves the locking rols -circumferentially and into locking engagement between thehardened steel liner 58 and the inclined surfaces N (Fig. 3). This looks the clutch body 6? to the driver 45 of the clutch normally rotated by bull gear 44.

The shaft 46 will now operate through a cycle of one revolution during which it operates the roll-stand and the shearing mechanism. At the end of said cycle the clutch stop nose 71a will abnt the plunger 97. Thiscauses the roll basket 71 to disengage the clutch-locking rollsl'lo from their looking or driving positions. The shaft 46 now being disengaged from the positive drive of the locking rolls and gear 44, will immediately come to rest, since it is frictionally retarded by the brake band '76. f

As the shaft 45 makes its one-revolution cycle, the positive connection afforded by the eccentries 52 and connecting rods 57 causes the movable shear blade 63 to-start from its position of rest (mid-up position as shown in Fig. 1) and to rise to the top of the throw of the eccentric and then to descend 180, shearing the stock A on the third quarter of the eccentric revolution by what is, in efiect, a hammer blow of the blade (and the associated masses) on the stock to be sheared. The fourth quadrant of the cyclic eccentric movement raises the shear blade to the mid-up position of rest, allowing stock A to be freely fed beneath the blade until the cam 83:: again acts totrip the clutch and connect bull gear 44m the shearing mechanism for the next cut ofi. On. the down stroke of the shear -63 the blocks 62 engage and hold-the stock A immovable, while the shearing edges of the two shear blades 63, 66 pass each other. This mode of operation affords a solid shear and insures a clean cut-off of the metal.

During the operation of the shear the roll-1' stand carrying the feeding and straightening rolls 10-13 is receded (moved leftward, Fig. I) from the shear 63, 65 so as to provide for the continuous straightening n and feeding of the stock. A while allowing a shear fixed in the direction of stock travel. The operation of this phase will be understood from the description of the parts given hereinbefore'. As the bull gear 44. rotates to actuate the shear'mechanism, it also drives the cam shaft 49 by way of the meshed gears 47 and 48 keyed to 46 and 49 respectively.

This imparts clockwise rotative movement to the cam shaft 49 (as viewed in Fig. 1).

The revolution of cam shat t 49 carries the cams 50 through a dwell of 180. Thereafter the cam acts on the cam rollers 51and, through the connection to the leveling support (roll housing) afi'orded by the bracket 19, forces the roll-stand carrying rolls ill-13 to recede at a rate of speed equal to the feeding out of the stock between the rolls rightwardly, Fig. 1. a At the end of said recession of the roll-stand carrying rolls'10-i3 it is automatically returned to position by the apparatus shown in Fig. I. As is there illustrated, a counter-balance weight 109 is attached to the chain or cable 101. This chain or cable is secured to the cam bracket by a clevis 102 and passes over a sheave 103 rotatably mounted on the transverse shaft 194.

Since it is the variable speed transmission 0 which determines the length of the sub-lengths of stock to be cut off, this may be -readily adjusted to cut the material to required lengths without varying the speed of the rolls l(ll3 the.

efiect of the adjustment being to vary the rate of shaft 82 and the cam 83 as revolved by 82. While an electrical circuit embodying a solenoid has been illustrated as a functioning part of the trip mechanism this may be replaced by a mechanical linkage to accomplish the same result totrip'the one revolution clutch 67, 45. v There are times when the rolling mills are called upon to furnish strip stock (particularly thatof non-ferrous metals) made up in coils and without regard to length. In such cases the operations of straightening and cutting to a predetermined length might not be needed but nevertheless is useful to out out flaws; etc. from the strips. This operation has been performed by the manufacturer on what is termed This inspection. and

shear 63 (rightwa'rdly, Fig. 1). before it is perfceived by the operator of the machine. In such' circumstances it is' desirable toreversethe feed rolls-to feed the imperfect section of stock back (leftward, Fig. 1) 'into position under the shear...

plished"by"man.ipulation of the hand lever 39, Fig. I, operatingreversing clutch C, Fig. 5. In normal operation for straightening and shearing the drive from the motor to the straighten" ing rolls includes the spur gears 36 and 37.

This causes the upper rolls (Fig. 1) to rotate counter clockwise and the lower rolls clockwise. If now the lever 39 is thrown to the reverse position, the clutch C will be engaged on that side which is driven by the chain belt D. This clutch engagement causes a reverse direction of rotation of shaft 33 and consequently will change the direction of rotation of the upper and lower rolls so that the stock will be fed back (left, Fig. 1) thru the rolls. This movement may be continued until the desired portion of the strip is under the shear'66, at which time the tripping of the other clutch 6'7, 45 to operate the shear mechanism may be operated as above by manually closing the switch in housing P, Figs. 3-4, to energize electromagnet Q. During such an inspection operation the electric circuit is opened at the switch in P in order to preclude operation of the solenoid Q. Likewise the roll-stand carrying pinch feed rolls 12, 13 is locked in its maximum receded position (to left, Fig. 1) with the upper tier of straightening rolls-10 raised clear of the stock being inspected and fed by rolls 12, 13 over the top of the lower tier of rolls 10. In

this position of the parts there is substantial longitudinal space between the roll-stand and shear mechanism which permits an additional view of the material passing through.

The operation of the rolls for continuously feeding the long metal stock rectilinearly lengthwise and for simultaneously straightening it and simultaneously but intermittently, shearing it into equal sub-lengths, but intermittently stopping thelengthwise rectilinear movement of the stock thru the shearing mechanism, while continuing the feeding and straightening operation, is as follows. The object of this operation is to increase the rate of production of machines of this general type, particularly the well-known machines supplied with coils of long metal stock which are to be sheared into equal sub-lengths. In order that the sheared lengths shall be equal it is necessary to do two things, first to straighten the stock by removing the metal set of its coilcurvature and establishing a new metal set in a straight condition and second, to operate the shearing mechanism at times when equal lengths of the straightened stock have been fed between and beyond the shearing tools.- In the present machine these two things are done without discontinuing the straightening and accompanying feeding operation and without moving the shearing mechanism along the length of the stock, and by moving the long stock exclusively rectilinearly to and between the shearing tools. The stock is substantially rigid lengthwise so that as it passes between the shearing tools and lies beyo d them for shearing it must be straight, for if displaced from its straight lengthwise feed to and'beyond the shearing mechanism it would -be sheared into portions having various curvatures and lengths, unlesssome means were provided somewhere for taking out the coil-curva-' ture before shearing. In other words, here, where the shearing means is not moved along the line of lengthwise stock-feed, it is necessary to provide other means than lateral stock-displacement out of the line of rectilinear lengthwise stockefeed, to keep the stock from lengthwise inovement while the shearing tools are operating on it across the straight path of lengthwise stock-feed. The object of the operation of the machine shown is to provide for lack of relativelengthwise movement of the longitudi nally fixed shearing tools 63, 66 at the time they -rolls at uniform rate.

cross the straight path of lengthwise-stock-feed, but yet prevent loss of time otherwise consequent upon stopping stock-movement against the shearing tools, by continuously rotating the straightening and feeding rolls, the former participating in the feeding operation.

This is done in the present invention, and in connection with exclusively rectilinear lengthwise stock-feed, by means of power connections which rotate the feed-rolls at a constant rate as by the wabblers 27, in combination with the separate power-reciprocation of the sliding rollstand in the line of stock-feed over very short distances (six inches in the machine shown), this rectilinear reciprocation of the roll-stand and the simultaneous operation of the vertically movable inclined shear-blade 63 being effected only after long periods of rest of the roll-stand and shearing tool 63 during which the greater portions of the stock-lengths to be sheared off successively are straightened and fed by the same rolls, the sheared-01f straight sub-lengths having substantial length up to fifteen or twenty has been how to accomplish the above object,

with exclusively rectilinear lengthwise stockmovement, without requiring impracticably long rectilinear reciprocations of the feed-rolls for the purpose of allowing sufficient time for the roll-stand to have its rate of reciprocation accelerated to a practically high rate of rotation of the feed-rolls mounted on the roll-stand; for the movement of the stock relative to the shearing tools cannot be stopped until the rate of movement of the roll-stand away from the shearing-tools is as high as the rate of the stockcaused by the-continuous rotation of the feed- This problem has been solved in the present invention by the provision of the mechanism which operates the roll-stand and shearing .tool 63 in coordinated time relation and in such manner. that within a practically short length of sliding reciprocation of the roll-' stand its rate can be brought up from a position of rest to a rate equalling a practicably high rate of rotation of the straightening rolls which feed the stock thru the roll-stand, in order not only that the desired high rate of roll-rotation may be preserved but that in addition the production time actually can be saved by compensating for time otherwise lost by interruption of movement of the stock lengthwise during the shearingoperation.

In this machine the mechanism which permit",

all the above to be'effected, without anyidisplace- 63 and of the roll-stand; the times of intermittent engagements of the elements of clutch N being controlled by some suitable mechanism such asthat shown for the purpose of operating shearing-blade 63 and the roll-stand at'times which produce equal straightened sheared lengths of the particular long-stock being treated which is substantially rigid lengthwise.

The fly-wheel action of bull-gear 44 not only 1,ese,cse

. ing-blade 63 and its carriers or shear-gate in operation and sustains its shearing load, but at the same time it also overcomes the inertia of the normally stationary and yet heavier rollstand and quickly bringsup the rate of the latter. to that of the lengthwise feeding movement of the stock due to the rotation of the straightening rolls which move the stock thru the rollstand so-that within a practicable length of movement of the sliding roll-stand (permissively even longer than the six inches of the machine shown), there is'a stoppage of the movement of the stock relative to the shearing. tools for a sufiicient time for the shearing cut without starting the slide or the roll-standbefore the start of movement of shearing tool 63. The braking mechanism also is important in checking the operations of roll stand and shear which are started by clutch N and fiy-wheel gear 44 which in turn are started by the stock-length controlling mechanism shown.

Thus, altho the power-rotation of the various rollslO-l3 is continuous at a uniform rate by way of wabblers 27, (independent of the clutch N which intermittently operates shearing-tool 63 and the roll-stand), and altho the movement of the stock rectilinearly lengthwise relative to the shearing-tools is interrupted intermittently while the straightening and pinch-rolls are feeding'the longitudinally rigid stock lengthwise rectilinearly in a direction thru the roll-'stand toward the shearing-tools during the continuous uniform rotation of the rolls, yet the return sliding move-' ment of the roll-stand rectilinearly toward the shearing-tools carrying with it the rolls and also the stock continuously moved by the rolls, relative to the roll-stand, is such, as will be seen, as to compensate for the time otherwise lost,'oi' lengthwise movement of the stock relative to the shearing-tools, thereby accomplishing the desired object'of increasing the time-productivity of the machine. Thus, this operation permits an increase of about one foot of stock fed for each cut by the shear; so that, assuming about ten cuts per minute, there is an increased output from the machine of-about ten feet per minute, which is of an increased output per day of four or five thousand feet per machine. The cycle is as follows, starting from a position of the roll-support or roll-stand adjacent the shear 63, 66 as the shear blade 63 is about to be operated, both blade 63 and the roll-stand being started in operation and operated by the clutch Nand fiy-wheel gear 44. The roll-stand (carrying the rolls 10-13 begins to recede from the shear (leftward, Fig. 1) and from the forward end of the longitudinally rigid stock A, (right, Fig; 1), this recession of the roll-stand being (at the instant of shearing) at the same rate as the emergence of the stock A from the rolls prior to the gripping of the forward end of the stock. (The acceleration of the roll-stand by fiy-wheel gear 44. is under control of the cams 50.) Thus the rolls- 10-13 and the forward end of stock A continue their separation from one another at the same rate ,after the movement of the stock to the shear has been stopped as before it was stopped; bu't altho'the stock now continues to be fed out of the rolls, (rightwardly, Fig. 1) yet it no longer is moved toward the horizontally fixed shear, because of the leftward movement, of the roll-stand at thegsal ne raite (at the' instant of shearing) as the feed of the stock thru the roll-stand. Thus the rolls continue their. feeding and straightening action on the stock dur-: ing this recession of the roll-stand leftwardly from the shear. At the instant of shearing there is no change in the relation of any oi the stool; to theshear. Just beiore and just after shearing the stock is moving between the shearing tools more slowly than normally when everything is idle save the stock-feed. Also the rate of rotation of the rolls is constant at all times and the roll-stand travels away from the shear at the same rate (at the instant of shearing) at which the stock previously has been approaching the shear, this rate being governed by the constant rate of rotation of the rolls and the leftward rate of the roll-stand by clutch N and cams 50. As the roll-stand moves away from the shear, the feed rolls 10-13 no longer move the stock closer to'the shear at the same rate asnormally, not only because the stock is gripped by 62' in a position of rest, but because the rolls are being carried bodily back away from, the shear by the roll-stand moving leftward along the length of the stock just as fast as the stock is issuing from the rolls so that the rolls actually roll back over the fixed stock, idly so far as concerns moving closer to the shear but actively in the sense that they continue their function of a stock-straightening as they move the stock thru and beyond the roll-stand.

The action of the rolls 10-13 normally(that is, when clutch N is disengaged which is most of the time) invcfives exclusively rectilinear lengthwise feeding movement of the long metal or other long longitudinally rigid stobk. While such movement, so far as the shearing means is concerned, is interrupted during the instant of shearing, yet it continues all the time with respect to the rollstand. Normally the actionof rolls 10-13 is one of moving the stock toward thdshears. But while the shears are being operated by clutch N the latter moves the roll-stand leftward away from the shears; and during the time the shears are moving, and the movement of the stock toward them is respectively slowed down and -stopped or even reversed by cams 50, the roll-stand and the rolls in practical efiect are being fed leftwardly away from the shears and along the length of the stock, the rolls therefore then continuing their action ofironing out the coil-curvature metal set from the stock. The essence of the operation is this continuous action of stockstraigh'tening during the movements of the shearing tool 63, the timing of the shearing-cut to the instant when the receding movement of the roll-stand is at a rate which causes the stock I to be stationary relative to the shear at the instant of shearing, being provided for by the common driver of both the roll-stand and tool 63 by means of the clutch N andfly-wheel gear 44 under thecont'rol of the mechanism for determining the length of stock fed beyond the shears up to the instant of shearing. The rearward mostock: and while the latter is gripped to hold it in place in its stationary'position for the operation of the shear-blades. As thus mar? described no time is saved, altho the stock s being continuously straightened in the roll-stand at all times, so that as soon as the shearing operation has been completed and the stock released from the grippers for resumption of movement by the rolls between the shearing-tools, then the rollstand, the rolls and the stock all are moved forrate but wherein the movement of the metalward'towardthe shear and the stock is fed between the two shear-blades, the stock being moved rightwardly by two actions (1) the rightward movement of the roll-stand (as by weight 100, clutch N having been disengaged when no longer needed for blade 63) and (2) the normal, continuous, uniform action-of rolls 1013, so that the rate of stock-feed now is much greater than if the roll-stand were stationary. This rate is suificiently high to make up for the stockmoving time lost during the shearing operation by the horizontally fixed shear. Such higher rate is permitted because straightening of part of the stock has been effected during the time of movements of blade 63, so that most of the stock fed between the shearing tools by the rightward movement of the roll-stand already has undergone the forceful operation of removal of coil curvature, so that the rightward return movement of the stock by weight 100 independently of clutch N can -be'as rapid as desired, unburdened by the labor of curve-straightening, thereby making up for the time lost during shearing. When the roll-stand reaches its normal position of rest at right, the stock-feed between the shearblades resumes its normal rate, being thereafter governed by the continuation of the uniform rate of rotation of rolls l0--13 alone without further feeding cooperation by the rightward movement of the roll-stand. In the example shown, however, the above higher rate of stock-feed between the idle shear-blades during the rightward return movement of the roll-stand is fur.- ther increased by the gravity mechanism which moves the roll-stand rightwardly toward the shear at a higher rate than the leftward movement of the roll-stand by,the half-heart-shaped cam. This feed-compensating apparatus is particularly useful in machines for straightening and shearing long relatively narrow metal stock whereby the straightening operation is performed without interruption, yet it may be employed in any machine where the feeding rotation of the rolls. is continuous and at a uniform stock continuously in a straight line is interrupted for the purpose of permitting a fabricating operation, whether shearing or otherwise, and whether or not the stock be straightened prior to the fabricating operation; and indeed said apparatus may be employed irrespective of the nature of the material, metal or otherwise, i; e., in

any case where the material has greater length than breadth and is of such character that bending it from a straight length to displace it out of a path of straight lengthwise feed, is impracticable or undesirable in respect of its final condition or the nature of the fabricating operation to which it is to be subjected, in the machine. And this feeding apparatus and method may be em-. ployed with a plurality of fabricating operations simultaneously executed while the feed of thelength of material is discontinued temporarily.

Although the appara us has been described as designed particularly to straighten and shear flat stock, such as long sheets, it may be utilized as well for other long relatively narrow stocks,

such as me al rods, bars, eic. which also are substantially rigid lengthwise.

While I have shown and described one mechanical embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that this is given merely by way of the part, improvement, or combination which I claim as my invention or discovery, as follows.

1. A machine for shearing off sub-lengths from long substantially rigid metal stock, which includes the shearing means; means from which the stock is supplied to the shearing means; feeding means which is continuously rotatable to feed the stock continuously lengthwise rectilinearly from said supply means on the side thereof toward the shearing means; and feedtimecompensating means which includes a clutch and a mounting for said feeding means which is reciprocable rectilinearly relative to the shearing means, whereby the feeding-time lost in stopping the stock-movement toward the shearing 'means during the movement of said mounting away from the shearing means, is substantially compensated for by movement of said mounting toward the shearing means during the intervals between successive shearing actions of the shearing means without displacing any portion of the length of the stock from its straight line of feed.

2. In a machine wherein a material of greater -length than breadth is fed by rotatable means from a supply means to a fabricating means and the stock movement to the fabricating means discontinued during the fabricating operation, the method of obtaining relatively stationary relations of the fabricating means and feeding means in the direction of stock-feed during fabricating, operation, without displacing any portion of length of the long stock away from the path of its movement toward the fabricating means, which consists in causing the rotatable feeding means to recede bodily toward the supply means from the fabricating means during the movement of the latter, and continuing the rotation of the feeding means during its said recession, thereby causing continuous feed of the stock from the feeding means during discontinuance of the stock-movement to the fabricating means. a

3. In combination, a shaft, means intermittently rotating said shaft, a reciprocable fabricating instrument, and an operating connection between the latter and said shaft and mounted eccentrically of the shaft; means initiating the rotation of the shaft when the fabricating instrument is intermediate its position engaging the stock and its position most remote therefrom the stock, and then moved with a hammer blow. to the stock from its position most remote therefrom. 1

4. A metal treating achine comprising associated feeding and sh aring devices, means to operate the shearing device and to displace the feeding device, and reversible means for operating the feeding device independently of the shearing device to permit inspection of the metal under treatment. a

5. In an apparatus of the "character described;

the combination ofa reciprocable-stock-feeding unit comprising a plurality of rolls; gears thereforf an oil-tight housing; operating mechanism for said unit comprising gearing enclosed in said oil-tight housing, said gearing being connected 6. A machine for shearing long, relatively narrow metal stock sub-lengths, which comprises shearing means; feeding-rolls'continuouslyrotatable to feed the stock continuously from out of the rolls and rectilinearly to the shearing.

means; stocli-supply means in alinement with the shearing means and feed-rolls, the latter being located between the shearing means and the supply-means; a support for said rolls which is reoiprocable rectilinearly relative to the shearing means; and, means intermittently reciprocating said roll-support, said support being movable away from the shearing means rectilinearly to stop the movement ofthe stock toward the shearing means while permitting continuation of the cessive portions of its length, which comprises fabricating means;' positively and continuously rotatable rolls continuously causing feeding movement of the stock relative to the rolls themselves and rectilinearly to' the fabricating'means; and a support for the rolls which is reciprocable rectilinearly from and to said fabricating means; means intermittently reciprocating said support; said support being movable away from the fabricating means during the operation of the latter whereby during such operation the feed of the stock toward the fabricating means is discontinued but the stock feeding movement is continued relative to said rolls, said support being movable toward the fabricating means between successive shearing operations of the latter and at a higher rate than its movement away from the fabricating means, all whereby during the intervals between the successive reciprocations ofthe roll-support. the feeding is continued by the rolls, and,whereby the more rapid movement of the roll-support toward the fabricating means compensates for the stoppage of stock-movement toward the fabricating means during the operation of the latter.

8. A metal feeding and shearing device comprising, in combination, a rigid shear mechanism; means intermittently operating the shear mechanism; movable feeding means positioned adjacent the shear mechanism; means continuously operating the feeding meansat uniform rate to feed the stock thru it; and means intermittently moving the feeding means away from the shear mechanism during the operation of the shear mechanism and feeding means.

9. A machine for shearing long relatively narrow metal stock which is substantially rigid lengthwise into sub-lengths, including shearing -means and rotatable pinch-feed rolls engaging opposite sides of the stock; stock-supply means from which the stock is pulled and pushed exclusively rectilinearly to the shearing means; a' normally stationary carrier reciprocableto and from the shearing means and carrying said pinchrolls; mechanism positively rotating said rolls continuously thereby continuously feeding the stock away from the carrier; and mechanism including a clutch and a fly-wheel and intermittently operating, said shearing means and simultaneously moving the carrier and its rotating rolls toward the supply means away from the shearing means, said mechanism at the time of shearing moving the carrier toward the supply means at the same rate that the feed-rolls are moving the stock from the carrier in the opposite direction 8 toward the shearing means.

10. A machine for shearing very long relatively narrow metal stock into'sub-lengths, including a shearing-tool, mechanism continuously feeding the stock lengthwise in the direction of the shearing tool; normally stationary tool-operating mechanism including an eccentric; a continuously rotating, positively-acting clutch; mechanism intermittently causing the clutch to be con-' nected with said tool-operating mechanism and l its eccentric and impart a single revolution, to said eccentric; said eccentric in its normal stationary condition extending generally lengthwise of the long stock being fed toward the shearing tool; and said clutch being arranged to rotate in a direction which in starting the movement of the eccentric from rest causes the movement of the shearing tool away from the stock and then reverses thetool toward the stock for shearing,- whereby the starting load on the clutch at each intermittent cycle of the shearing tool is substantially spaced in time from the shearing load on the clutch by the action of the tool on the stock 11C 11. A machine for shearing a very long, relatively narrow but thick metal sheet into subiengths, including two shearing tools including a blade, mechanism feeding such sheet lengthwise toward said blade, said blade being arranged with its shearing edge inclined transversely of the width of the sheet being fed to it; normally stationary mechanism including an eccentric for operating such shearing blade; said eccentric normally extending generally lengthwise of the long sheet being fed toward said blade; and driving mechanism intermittently causing a single revolution of said eccentric in a direction which first in starting the blade-operating mechstock thereby preventing addition of a shearing load to the starting load on the driving mecha; nism, and thenreverses the blade toward the sheet fbr the gradual shearing action by its inclined edge, thereby not only reducing the instantaneous shearing load on the driving mechanism but substantially spacing the entire shearing load in time from the starting load at each recurrent cycle of said nor'mally stationary eccentric. 12. A machine for shearing very long, relatively narrow metal stock into sub-lengths, including a shearing tool, mechanism feeding the stock lengthwise toward the shearing tool; normally stationary mechanism operating said tool including an eccentric which in its normal position'of rest extends generally lengthwise of the long stock being fed toward the shearing tool; and driving mechanism intermittently causing a single rotation of said eccentric mechanism in a direction which first in starting the tool-operating mechanism moves the tool away from the metal stock and then reverses thetool toward the stock for shearing, whereby the shearing loa'd anism from rest moves the blade away from the on the driving mechanism at each intermittent operation of the tool is substantially spaced irr time from the starting load.

sides of the shearing tool; mechanism including an eccentric for operating the shearing tool; mechanism continuously rotating said feed-rolls at a uniform rate; mechanism including braking means, a clutch and a fly-wheel intermittently causing single complete revolutions of said eccentric; a horizontally extending support for the stock fed beyond the shearing tool and sheared off thereby as a straight sub-length of stock; and mechanism cooperating with said eccentric and pinch-feed rolls and maintaining a uniform relation of the stock and tool in the direction of rectilinear stock-feed during the time of engagement of the tool with the stock, thereby preventing the substantially rigid, rectilinearly fed stock from being moved relative to the proper position of said movable shearing tool during the shearing-operation.

14. A machine for shearing very long; relatively narrow metal stock into sub-lengths, including a normally stationary shearing-tool movable to and from the stock, pinch-feed rolls for engaging opposite sides of said long stock and feeding it'lengthwise therefrom in the direction of said shearing tool; mechanism including an eccentric for moving the shearing tool to and from the stock; mechanism continuously rotating said feed-rolls; means intermittently imparting a shearing cycle to said tool-moving mechanism, eccentric and tool, said eccentric in its state of rest extending in the general direction of the length of the stock being fedby said rolls; and mechanism cooperating with said eccentric and feed-rolls and maintaining a uniform relation of the stock and shearing tool in the direction of stock-feed during the time of engagement of the tool with the stock.

15. A machine for shearing into sub-lengths very long, relatively narrow metal stock of a thickness causing substantial rigidity lengthwise, said mechanism including two normally stationary shearing tools at least one of which is movable toward the stock, rolls for engaging opposite sides of the long stock and feeding it lengthwise therefrom exclusively rectilinearly toward, between and beyond the shearing tools; at a general rate synchronized with the operation of the shearing means; normally stationary mechanism including an eccentric operating the shearing mechanism a shaft carrying said eccentric; mechanism continuously rotating said feed-rolls at a uniform rate; a continuously rotating positively acting clutch mounted on said shaft with said eccentric; a fly-wheel cooperating with the continuously rotating element of the clutch; mechanism intermittently connecting said clutch and fly-wheel with said shaft and eccentric mechanism during a single rotation of the clutch and eccentric; and mechanism cooperating with said tool-moving mechanism and feed-rolls and maintaining a unifo m ela of the stock and shearing means in the direction of rectilinear stock-feed during the time of engagement of the shearing means with the stock, thereby preventing the substantially rigid rectilinearly fed stock from being moved relative to the proper position of said movable shearing tool during the shearing operation.

16. A machine for shearing very long, relatively narrow metal stool: into sub-lengths, including a normally stationary shearing tool movable toward the stock, pinch-feed rolls for engaging opposite sides of the long stock and feeding it lengthwise therefrom in the directionof the shearing tool; normally stationary mechanism including an eccentric for moving the shearing tool to and from the stock; a shaft for saideccentric; mechanism continuously rotating said feed-rolls; a continuously rotating, positively-acting clutch mounted on said shaft with said eccentric; said eccentric in its state of rest extending in the general direction of the length of the stock being fed by said rolls; means intermittently connecting said clutch with said eccentric for a single revolution of the shaft and the eccentric; and mechanism cooperating with said eccentric and feed-rolls and taining a uniform relation of the stock and shearing tool in the direction of rectilinear stock-feed during the time of engagement of the tool with the stock. A

1'7. A machine for shearing very long, relatively narrow metal stock into sub-lengths, including a normally stationary shearing tool movable toward the stock, pinch-feed rolls for engaging opposite sides of the long stock and feeding it lengthwise therefrom in the direction of the shearing tool; normally stationary mechanism including an ecthe stock; a shaft for said eccentric; mechanism continuously rotating said feedrolls; a fly-wheel and'a positively acting clutch mounted on ,said shaftwith said eccentric; driving means continuously rotating said clutch and fly-wheel; said eccentric in its normal state of rest extending in the general direction of the length of the stock being fed by said rolls; means intermittently conmeeting said fly-wheel and clutch with said eccentric for a single revolution of said shaft; and mechanism cooperating with the eccentric and feedrolls and maintaing a uniform relation of the stock and shearing'tool in the direction of stock feed during the time of engagement of the tool with the stock. I

1%. A machine for shearing into sub-lengths very long and relatively narrow metal stock having a thickness causing substantial rigidity lengthwise, which includes two cooperating shearing tools for opposite sides of the stock and only one centric for moving the shearing tool to and from of which is movable to and from the stock, pinchfeed rolls for engaging opposite sides of the stock and feeding it lengthwise therefrom exclusively rectilinearly toward, between and beyond the shearing tools; mechanism continuously rotating said feed-rolls at a uniform rate; a tool carrier on which is mounted the tool which is movable to and from the stock; mechanism intermittently 19. A machine of the general character described, for fabricating very long relatively narrow a stock of substantial rigidity lengthwise including 2. fabricating tool, continuously operating feeding mechanism feeding the stock exclusively rectilinearly to and beyond the fabricating mechanism, said machine normally and stationary tool-oper ating mechanism, a continuously-rotating positively-acting clutch intermittently actuating the tool-operating mechanism; braking means for the tool-operating mechanism; means causing the operation of said braking means prior to the end of the cycle of the tool-operating mechanism whereby the movement of the'latter is checked substantially instantly at the end of said cycle; and mechanismcooperating with said tool-operating mechanism and stock-feeding mechanism and maintaining a uniform relation of the stock and tool in the direction of rectilinear stock-feed during their engagement with one anothenthereby preventing the continuous operation of the feeding means from moving the'substantia'lly rigid, rectilinearly fed stock relative to the working portionof said tool during the fabricating operation. 20. A machine of substantially the character described for fabricating very long relatively narrow stock of substantial rigidity lengthwise, said 'machine, including a fabricating tool, continuously operating feeding mechanism, feeding the stock exclusively rectilinearly to and beyond said tool, normally stationary tool-operating mechanism, including an eccentric; mechanism intermittently imparting a single revolution to said eccentric; braking mechanism; means causing the operation of said braking mechanism to said tooloperating mechanism prior to the end of eccentric revolution; and mechanism maintaining a uniform relation of the stock and tool in the direction of rectilinear stock-feed during the engagement i of the tool with the stock thereby preventing the continuously operated feeding mechanism from causing the substantially rigid, rectilinearly fed stock to move relative to the proper position of said tool during the shearing operation.

21. A machine of substantially the character described for fabricating very long relatively nar row stock of substantial rigidity lengthwise, said machine, including a fabricating tool, continuously operating mechanism feeding the stock horizontally lengthwise and exclusively rectilinearly to and beyond said tool; intermittentlyacting tool-operating mechanism including a horizontal shaft bearing an eccentric which in its normal position of rest extends generally horizontally and lengthwise of the stock being fed; mechanism maintaining a uniform relation of the stock and shearing tool in the direction of stockfeed during the engagement of the tool with the stock; bra-king mechanism; and means holding said braking means applied to said tool-operating mechanism while said eccentric is moving against gravity to its normal position of rest.

22. A machine of substantially the character described which includes a fabricating tool, con tinuously operating mechanism feeding the stock horizontally lengthwise; intermittently-acting tool-operating mechanism including a horizontal shaft bearing an eccentric which in its normal position of rest extends generally horizontally and lengthwise of the stock being fed; mechanism maintaining a uniform relation of the stock and shearing tool in the direction of stock-feed during the engagement of the tool with the stock; and mechanism holding said tool-operating mechanism and horizontal eccentric against gravity in their normal position of rest.

23. A machine of substantially the character described for shearing into sub-lengths, very long relatively narrow longitudinally rigid stock, said machine including two normally stationary shearing tools of which at least one is movableto and from a side of the stock, bodily movable pinch-feed rolls for engagement with opposite sides of the stock and feeding it lengthwise therefrom exclusively rectilinearly'to and beyond said tool; stock-supply means ali'ned with said rolls and tool and from which the latter pull the stock rectilinearly; intermittently-acting mechanism operating the shearing means; continuously- -operating mechanism coordinated with said intermittently-acting mechanism; jointed transmission mechanism rotating said bodily-movable rolls at a uniform rate and extending between said continuously-operating mechanism and said rolls; and mechanism cooperating with said rolloperating mechanism and said shear-operating mechanism and maintaining a uniform relation between the stock and said movable tool during their engagement with one another, whereby the stock .is moved exclusively rectilinearly by the continuously rotating rolls but does not move relative to the proper position of said movable tool during the shearing operation; a driver for said stock-feeding mechanism; and manually controlled means for reversing at will the direction of operation of said feeding mechanism.

24. A machine for shearing into sub-lengths very long and relatively narrow stock having substantial rigidity longitudinally, said machine including two normally stationary shearing tools of which'at least one is movable in an excursion to and from the stock, pinch-feed rolls cpntinuously acting to feed the stock lengthwise therefrom exclusively rectilinearly to and beyond said shearing means; mechanism intermittently operating the shearing tool; mechanism driving said tool-operating mechanism and including a continuously-rotating positively acting clutch; mechanism cooperating with saicLtool operating and stock-operating mechanisms and maintaining a uniform relation of the tool and rectilinearly moving stock lengthwise of the stockduring the time of engagement of the stock and tool with one another, thereby preventing the continuousiy rotating rolls from oving the longitudinally rigiwtilinearly fed stock relative to the proper posi n of said movable tool during the shearing operation; and mechanism regulating the times of successive operations of the tool-operating mechanism by the clutch, said regulating mechanism including a variable speed transmission; arranged for continuous operation at a rate coordinated with the rate of effective stock-feed.

25. A machine for fabricatingvery long and relatively narrow stock at portions spaced apart lengthwise substantially zhe same distance, said stock being substantially rigid longitudinally, said machine including mechanism feeding the stock lengthwise exclusively rectilinearly, a fabricating tool movable in an excursion to and from the stock but normally stationary; normally s'ationnary mechanism intermittently operating and causing successive fabricating excursions of said tool; mechanism continuously operating said stock-feeding mechanism; mechanism'cooperating with said mechanisms which operate said tool and feeding mechanism respectively and mainraining a uniforrnrelation of the stock and tool to one another lengthwise of the stock during their engagement with one another, thereby preventing the continuously operating stock feeding mechanism from moving the longitudinally rigid,

rectilinearly fed stock relative to the proper position of said fabricating tool during the fabricating operation, and mechanism continuously operating at a rate coordinated with the effective stock-feed and controlling the times ofsuccessive excursions of the fabricating tool by said intermittently operating mechanism to cause fabricating operations of the tool on the stock at portions of the length thereof which are spaced substantially equal distances apart.

26. A machine for shearing very long and relatively narrow stock into uniform sub-lengths, said stock being substantially rigid longitudinally said machine including a normally station ary shearing tool movable in shearing excursions to and from the s ock, mechanism feeding the stock lengthwise exclusively rectilinearly to and beyond said tool; normally stationary mechanism intermittently operating said tool; mechanism continuously operating said stock-feeding mechanism; mechanism cooperating wi'h said mechanisms respectively operating the tool and the feeding mechanism and maintaining a uniform relation of the stock and tool to one another lengthwise of v the stock during their engagement with one arm her, thereby preventing the continuously operating stock-feeding mechanism from moving the longitudinally rigid,'rectilinearly fed stock relative to the proper position of said shearing tool during the fabricating operation; a continuously-rotating, positively-acting cluch; mechanism continuously operating at a rate coordinated with the rectilinear movement of the stock and causing initiations of intermittent con nectionstof said clutch with said tool-operating mechanism at times causing shearing of the stock into substantially equal sub-lengths; and

mechanism causing disconnection of said clutch before it has moved the shearing tool in excess of a single excursion.

2'7. A machine for shearing very long and relatively narrow longitudinally rigid stuck into sublengths, including a shearing tool, a plurality of rolls for engagement with opposite sides of the stock for feeding it to the shearing tool; mechanism continuously and positively rota ing said feed-rolls moving, the stock exclusively rectilinearly to and beyond the tool; mechanism including a positive-acting clutch intermittently operating said shearing tool during the continuous operaion of said rolls; mechanism maintaining a uniform relation of the tool and stock to one another during their engagement with one another; and manually controlled means for reversing at will the direction of operation of said feed-roll rotating mechanism.

28. A machine for shearing very long and relatively narrow longitudinally rigid sfock into sublengths, including a shearing tool; a plurality of rolls for engagement with opposite sides of the stock for feeding it to the shearing tool; mechanism continuously and positively rotating said rolls moving the siock exclusively rectilinearly to and beyond the shearing tool; mechanism including a positive-clutch and intermittentlyoperating said shearing tool during the continuous operation of said rolls; mechanism maintaining a uniform relation of the tool and stock to one another during their engagement with one another, thereby preventing the continuously operating stock-feeding mechanism from moving the longitudinally rigid, recilinearly fed stock relative to the proper position of said shearing tool during the shearing operation; and manually operable mechanism reversing the direction of rotation of said roll-rotating mechanism during the continuously operating of said other moving parts of the machine.

29. A machine for shearing very long and relatively narrow longitudinally rigid stock into uniform sub-lengths, including the following ele-\ ments substantially as -described: a shearing tool; continuously operating mechanism feed ing the long stock lengthwise, moving the stock exclusively rectilinearly to and beyond said tool; normally stationary tool-operating mechanism including a radially extending member the outer portion of which is movable in a circle and to which the tool is connected; mechanism maintaining a uniform relation between the stock and iing member; mechanism normally holding the clutch out of driving relation with the tool-operating mechanism; means intermittently initiating inoperativeness of saidholding mechanism at times equally spaced apart for equal lengths of stockfeed; a common driver for all said movable parts of the machine; and manually controlled means for reversing at will the direction of operation of stock-feeding mechanism which normally feeds the stock-toward the shearing tool.

a 30. A machine for shearing very long and relk atively narrow longitudinally rigid stock into sublengths, including a shearing tool, mechanism including a positive-acting clutch and intermittent- 'ly operating the shearing tool moving it thru an excursion to and from the stock; a plurality of rolls for engagement with opposite sides of the stock to feed it to the shearing tool; mechanism continuously and positively rotating said rolls, moving the stock exclusively rectilinearly to and beyond said shearing tool; the rolls and said driving mechanism being arranged for roll-adjustment to various thicknesses of stock; mechanism maintaining a uniform relation between the stock and shearing tool lengthwise of the stock during their engagement with one another, thereby preventing the continuously operating stock-feeding mechanism from moving the longitudinally rigid, rectilinearly fed stock relative to the proper position of said shearing tool during the shearing operation; means intermittently initiating operation of the tool-operating mechanism at times spaced apart for equal lengths of stock fed beyond the shearing tool; and manually controlled means for causing at will the reversal of said normal direction of operation of the mechanism for rotating the feed-rolls.

31. A machine for shearing very long and relativelygnarrow stock into sub-lengths, including a shearing tool, pinch-rolls feeding the stock; mechanism continuously and positively rotating said rolls; normally stationary driving mechanism including a positive acting clutch intermittently operating the shearing tool moving it thru an ,excursion to and from the stock; mechanism ;'maintaining a uniform relation to the stock and mechanism normally'holding said driving mechanism out of driving relation with the tool; an electromagnetic means controlling said holding mechanism; a common driving source for all said movable parts; manually operable mechanism stopping the operation of said roll-rotating mech-- anism at will during the continued operation of said other moving parts; a switch in the circuit of said electromagnetic means; manually operable mechanism reversing the direction of operation of said roll-driving mechanism at will; and mechanism controlling the time of operation of said electromagnetic means in accord with the feed of thestock.

J 32. A machine for shearing very long and 'relatively narrow longitudinally rigid stock into sublengths, including. a shearing tool, pinch-rolls feeding the stockfmechanism continuously and positively rotating said rolls moving the stock exclusively rectilinearly to and beyond the shearing tool; normally stationary mechanism including a positive-acting clutch and intermittently operating the shearing tool moving it 'thru an excursion to and from the stock; mechanism maintaining a uniform relation. of the stock and tool lengthwise of thestock during their engagement with one another, thereby preventing the continuously operated rolls from moving the longitudinally rigid, rectilinearly fed stock relative tothe proper position of the shearingtool during the shearing operation; continuously driving mechanism including a positive-acting clutch arranged to impart intermittent excursions to the shearing tool; mechanism normally holding said driving mechanism out of driving relation with the tool; electro-magnetic means controlling said holding mechanism; a switch in the circuit of said electro-rnagnetic means and controlling theconnection of the driving means in operating relation with the shearing tool; andmanually controlled means for causing at will the reversal of the direction of operation of the mechanism for rotating the feed-rolls.

33. A fabricating machine for long relatively narrow longitudinally rigid metal stock, which includes feeding means consisting of feed-rolls pinching the stock between them in' combination with means continuously rotating them and means reciprocating them in the line of stockfeed while they are being rotated; a normally stationary fabricating tool and a carrier therefor, in combination with nieans intermittently moving the carrier and tool in a cycle to and from the line of stock-feed by said pinch-rolls; stopk supply means alined with the feed rolls and fabrieating tool and from which the former moves the stock exglu'sively rectilinearly, pulling/the stock from said supply means and pushing it to and beyond the fabricating tool; and means alsocarried by said tool-carrier and movable toward the stock with the fabricatingtool and having clamping engagement with the stock during the fabricating operation of said tool on the stock when the feed r'olls are being moved bodily towardthe supply means at the same rate that the stock is moving relatively from the feed-stock.

, 34. In a machine for fabricating long narrow metal stock, the combination with feeding-means,

of mechanism driving the feeding means in either of two directions; a fabricating tool movable in cycles to and from the line of stock-feed; a manually-operable clutch controlling the operation of said tool; a reversing clutch controlling the driving mechanism for the feeding means; and manually operable means controlling said reversing clutch.

35. In a machine for fabricating long narrow longitudinally rigid metal stock at successive portions'of its length, the combination with continuously operated roll mechanism relatively feeding the stock lengthwise, and exclusively rec'- tilinearly to and beyond the fabricating means: ,of fabricating means intermittently movable in cycles to' and from the path of stock-feed; said feeding mechanism including a roll-stand slidingly reciprocable rectilinearly'in the direction of stock-feed and the feed-rolls being rotatably mounted in the roll-stand; stock-supply means alined with the feed-rolls and fabricating mechanism and from which the rolls move the stock exclusively rectilinearly pulling it from said supply-means and pushing it to and beyond the fabricating means; a main driver; and power transmissions all operated by said main driver and connected respectively to said fabricating -means said roll stand and said feed-rolls; the

connections between the main driver and the roll -stand and rolls respectively including an intermittently operated positive acting clutch.

36. In a machine of the general character described, for shearing long relatively narrow metal stock into equal sub-lengths, the combination ?with rolls moving the long stock rectilinearly lengthwise, of supply means from which the stock is moved said rolls, and shearing means located in line with said supply means and feed-rolls; means continuously ro ating said feed rolls at a uniform rate; a roll-sta d carrying said feed-rolls and slidably mounted for rectilinear reciprocation in line with the supply means and shearing means; said shearing means including two toolsof which'one is movable to and from and across the line of rectilinear stock-feed from the supply means to the shearing means; means operating said movable shearing tool; means operating said roll-stand; a normally disengaged clutch connected to both said operating means; said elements being arrangedfor movement of the roll stand away from the shearing means at the time after clutch-engagement-when the movable shear-'- ing tool is being moved to shear the stock; means controlling the intermittent operations of said clutch; and means continuously operating the driving element of the clutch at a rate in timerelation coordinated with the rate of continuous rotation of the feed-rolls;- all whereby at the instant 6f shearing the roll-stand is moved away from the shearing means at the same rate as the F stock is emerging from the feed-rol1s carried 'by the roll-stand. R,

37. A machine for shearing long substantially rigid metal stock into uniform sub-lengths, which includes a base, shearing means and a roll-support mounted for sliding reciprocation, on the base, one element of the shearing means being rigidly related with the baseand the cooperating element being movable along the other across the path of longitudinal stock-movement; a plurality of rolls carried by the support; means including a clutch and a half-heart-shaped cam for sliding the roll-support intermittently away from the shearing means and simultaneously operating the movable shearin'g tool, said mechanism including a shear-gate and an eccentric; mechanism continuously rotating said rolls; means sliding the .rollsupport,intermittently back to its normal condition of rest, said mechanism including a gravityactuated-counter-balancing weight and a comsaid rolls, operating said clutch-including means and intermittently raising said counter-weight.

38. In a machine for treating long substantially rigid metal stock, which includes a fabricating means operating intermittently on portions of the long stock at desired distances from one another, the means for increasing the output of the machine in a given time which includes rotatable stock-feeding means continuously feeding the stock rectilinearly in the direction toward the fabricating means, but which is intermittently reciprocatable rectilinearly from and back toward the fabricating means; means operating the fabricating means at times when the movement of the stock toward it is prevented by the bodily movement of the rotatable feeding means away from the fabricating means; and means including a clutch and intermittently operating said fabricating means and simultaneously bodily moving the rotating feeding means rectilinearly away from the fabricating means.

39. A machine for shearing long substantially rigid metal stock into uniform sub-lengths, which includes a base, shearing mechanism supported on the base; a support also mounted on the base for rectilinear sliding movement from and toward 'the shearing mechanism; feed-rolls carried by said support and feeding the stock rectilinearly to and beyond the shearing mechanism; means continuously rotating said feed-rolls; and means including a clutch and a half-heart shaped cam intermittently sliding said roll-support away from the shearing mechanism and simultaneously oper-- ating said shearing mechanism.

40. In a machine for shearing long substantially rigid metal stock into successive sub-lengths, the combination with a base, of shearing means mounted on the base and including a tool movable across the stock-path; a support mounted on the base for rectilinear sliding reciprocation from and toward the shearing mechanism; stock-feeding rolls carried by said support and feeding the stock rectilinearly to the shearing means; a'gate for said tool and a resilient metal-holding device mounted on the gate; means continuously rotating said feed-rolls; and means including a clutch and a half-heart-shaped cam and intermittently sliding said roll-support away from the shearing mechanism and simultaneously operating said shear-gate.

41'. In a machine of the general character described for treating long substantially rigid metal stock, the combination with shearing means, of continuously rotatable stock-feeding means feeding the stock rectilinearly to the fabricating means; means including a clutch, and intermittently moving the continuously rotating feeding means bodily away from the shearing means and simultaneously operating the shearing means; and means positively gripping the stock and holding it in its stationary position notwithstanding the continuous rotation of the stock-feeding means and during the time of bodily movement of the feeding means away from the shearing means; said clutch including means moving said feeding means bodily at the same rate as that of the emergenceof the stock from the feeding means.

and intermittently operating saidstock-gripping means to hold the stock in its resulting stationary relation to the shearing means in the direction of the rectilinear feed of the stock. I

42. A machine of. the class described, for fabricating long substantially rigid metal stock, and including a base, fabricating means; a support slidable on the base rectilinearly from and toward the fabricating means; stock-feeding rolls carried by said support and feeding the stock rectilinearly to thefabricating means; means including a fiy-wheel and clutch and intermittently.

sliding said roll-support from the fabricating means and simultaneously operating the fabricating means; and transmission means continuously rotating the feed-rolls and yieldable to said intermittent sliding of the roll-support.

43. a machine for shearing long relatively narrow and substantially rigid metal stock successively into sub-lengths, and including stock-feeding means rectilinearly reciprocable along the stock including rotatable feed-rolls; shearing mechanism mounted in the path of longitudinal stock-feed; said feed-rolls feeding the stock rectilinearly to the shearing mechanism; driving means; a transmission from said driving means continuously rotating said feed-rolls and a transmission from said driving means including a clutch and fly-wheel and intermittently moving said stock-feeding means rectilinearly away from the shearing mechanism and simultaneously opercessively at uniformly speed portions of its length, a

and including fabricating means and rotatable stock-feeding rolls feeding the stock rectilinearly to the fabricating means; a normally stationary roll-carrier reciprocable rectilinearly along the rigid stock from and to the fabricating means; mechanism positively rotating said rolls continuously; and mechanism including a clutch and fly-wheel and intermittently moving said rollcarrier away from the fabricating means and simultaneously operating the latter for shearing at the time when the continuouslyrotated' rollsare being carried bodily away from the fabricating means at the same rate that the stock is emerging from the rolls.

45. In a machine for fabricating long substantially rigid metal stock at uniformly spaced portions of its length, the combination with fabricating means including an element movable toward the stock, of feeding means continuously rotatable and feeding the stock rectilinearly to the fabricating means; a sliding support for the rotatable feeding means, said support being reciprocable from and to the fabricating means along the length of the rectilinearly fed rigid stock; means continuously rotating the feeding means; means including a clutch and intermittently sliding-said support away from the fabricating means and simultaneously effecting fabricating operation of said movable element of the fabricating Vmeans; and means which after disconnection of said clutch slides said support back toward the fabricating means at a rate higher than the movement of the support away from the fabricating means by the clutch.

46. In a machine for treating long substantially rigid metal stock, the combination with a normally stationary fabricating element movable toward the stock, of rotatable feeding rolls feeding the stock rectilinearly to the fabricating element; means continuously rotating said rolls; and feed-time-compensating means including a support for said rotatable feeding means, said support being slidable from and back toward the fabricating means along the rectilinearly fed rigid stock, means including a clutch and inter- .mittently moving said support away from the tially rigid metal stock into uniform sub-lengths, the combination with shearing means including a tool reciprocable across the stock, of means feeding the stock rectilinearly to and beyond the shearing means and including rolls continuously rotated in directions for feeding the stock in said direction; a support in which said rolls are rotatabh' mounted, said support being mounted for intermittent sliding rectilinear reciprocation from and to the shearing means rectilinearly along the path of rectilinear feed of the rigid stock; driving means; a transmission between the driving means and the feed-rolls continuously rotating them and including'universally jointed wabblers accommodating themselves to the said reciprocation of the roll-support; and a transmission between said driving means and said roll-support and shearing tool respectively and including a bull-gear continuously operated by said driving means and means including a normally idle shaft on which said bull-gear is mounted and intermittently reciprocating the roll-support and shearing tool for shearing operation wire the saidtool and the stock are relatively stati nary in the direction of stock-feed and when a predetermined sub-length of stock has been fed to the path of movement of the tool across the stock, said intermittent means including also wedging rolls for connection between said bull-gear and its shaft; means controlled by the operation of the driving means which rotates the feed rolls for connecting said wedging rolls between said gear and shaft; means disconnecting said rolls from said gear; means braking said shaft upon said rolldisconnection; all whereby said feed-roll support is moved away from the shearing means and the movable shearing tool is reciprocated back and forth across the path of stock-feed; and means independent of said driving means and connecting rollsand moving said roll-support back toward'the shearing means at a higher rate than it is moved in the opposite direction.

48; machine for shearing long substantially rigid metal stock into uniform sub-lengths, including a shearing tool stock rectilinearly lengthwise to and beyond'said tool; a main driver; a transmission from the driver and continuously rotating said rolls; supports for said tool and rolls respectively and means for intermittently causing relatively stationary relations of said stock and tool support in the path of stock-feed, and simultaneously moving the tool across the stock for shearing at a time when the tool and the feeding stock are relatively stationary in the path of stock-feed;

i Y said intermittent means including an eccentric device; a transmission between said main driver and said intermittent means and eccentric device and including a bull-gear, and also including wedging driving rolls for intermittent 'connection between the bull-gear and said intermittent means; electromagnetic means controlling the movement of said driving rolls to their connecting positions; means controlled by the operation of said main driver and itself controlling the operation of said electrom netic means :"means inter-. mittently moving sai driving-rolls from their movable across the stock, mechanism including rotatable rolls feeding such 51. A machine rigid metal stock I cluding a shearing tool movable across the stock,

connecting positionsi and braking means stopping said intermittent means upon the disconnection of said driving rolls from the bull-gear.

49. A machine for shearing long substantially rigid metal stock into uniform sub-lengths, including a shearing tool movable across the stock, rolls feeding such stock rectilinearly lengthwise to and beyond said tool; a main driver; a power transmission from the driver and continuously rotating said rolls; supports for said tool and rolls respectively and means including an eccentric and intermittently causing relatively stationary relations of said stock and tool support in the path of stock-feed and simultaneously moving the tool back and forth across the stock for shearing and removal of the tool from the path of the stock, said movements of the tool across the stock-path being effected at a time when the stock and the tool are relatively stationary in the path of stockof which is movable across thestock for shearing; rolls for'engaging opposite sides of the long stock and feeding it lengthwise rectilinearly be- .tween and beyond the shearing tools in their normal stationary positions; supports on'which' said rolls and tools are mounted and locating the tools normally on opposite sides of the rectilinear path of the stock by the rolls; mechanism continuously rotating said rolls; intermittent operating mechanism causing relatively stationary relations of said stock and tool support in the path of the rectilinear stock-feed by said rolls and including an eccentric and causing movement of said tool back and forth across the stock-path when the stock and 'the tools are relatively stationary in the path of stock-feed;

a main driver; a transmission between the driver and said intermittent operating means and including wedging driving rolls for intermittently connecting the driver ,to said eccentric; means,

controlled by the operation of the driver itself and causing such locking of the driver to the intermittent means; means intermittently effecting unlocking of said elements after said movable tool has been mo ed thereby from out of the path ofmovemen of the stock by said feed- -rolls; and braking means stopping said interinittentmeans and eccentric and holding said movable tool out of tha stock-path in its nor-. mally stationary positio for shearing long substantially into uniform sub-lengths, m-

tric and intermittently causing relatively stationary relations of saidstock and tool support in the line of rectilinear stock-feed and simul taneously moving the tool back and forth across 

